RSU Review

RSU RSU

Highlights from the 2020-21 Academic Year

CONTENT

1 Letter from the President

2 Partnering for Success: Rogers Sate, OU-Tulsa Combine Efforts to Advance Higher Ed Opportunities in Tulsa

3 Partnering for Success: Pryor High School Innovation Center at RSU Slated to Open this Fall

4 New Degree Programs: RSU Announces Five New Option in the Master’s Degree Program

5 New Degree Programs: RSU Adds Three Degree Options in the School of Professional Studies

6 Response to COVID-19

8 Year in Review

12 2020-21 Commencement

Profile: Public regional university offering master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees

Founded: 1909

Mascot: Hillcat University colors: Navy and Red

Number of students: About 3,444

Total faculty: 236 (102 full-time)

Student to faculty ratio: 19 to 1

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Campus Locations: Claremore, Bartlesville, Pryor and RSU Online

Rogers State University, in compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and educational services. This publication was printed by the RSU Print Shop. July 2021.

Dr. Larry Rice | President Brandon Irby | Director of Communications & Marketing Jennifer Smith | Assistant Director of Communications & Marketing Kate Northcutt | Graphic Designer

For more than 100 years, Rogers State University has embodied tradition, innovation and excellence throughout northeast Oklahoma and beyond. This year we celebrated 20 years as a four-year university, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. Throughout the past century our institution has stood steady to meet the needs of our students. This was no different as we embarked on the 2020-21 academic year. Together our faculty and staff followed through on a shared commitment to serve our students through unprecedented times. As the year comes to an end, I am amazed at the accomplishments we have achieved. This publication serves as a testament to the determined spirit of our Hillcat family and the many milestones of the past year.

In this review, you’ll find stories and updates on the work of our institution. The heart of work is providing citizens of the Tulsa metro and all northeast Oklahoma with opportunity of gaining the education they desire to build a meaningful and successful future. This can be seen in our recent partnerships with OU-Tulsa and Pryor Public Schools. In collaboration with industry, government and educational partners, we are building the future of our region through an educated workforce and engaged citizens. My hope is that you find this brief review informative and useful.

As we close the chapter on period of time that has forever changed our world, we look to the future with hope, anticipation and a deep sense of gratitude.

Anita Holloway

Rick Nagel

RSU CABINET & DEANS

Dr. Larry Rice

President

Dr. Richard Beck

Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Keith Martin

Dean, School of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Susan Willis

Dean, School of Professional Studies

Dr. Robert Goltra III

Vice President for Student Affairs

Dr. Mark Rasor

Vice President for Administration and Finance

Mr. Steve Valencia

Vice President for Development

Mr. Chris Ratcliff Director of Athletics

Mr. Brandon Irby

Director of Communications and Marketing

With Warmest Regards,

Dr. Larry Rice, President Rogers State University

“Throughout the past century our institution has stood steady to meet the needs of our students.”

Rogers State, OU-Tulsa Combine Efforts to Advance Higher Ed Opportunities in Tulsa

Rogers State University and OU-Tulsa are offering new opportunities to increase the region’s college-educated workforce. Upper-level classes of RSU degree programs in Business Administration and Public Affairs will now be offered at the OU-Tulsa Schusterman Center. The offerings follow an agreement filed jointly by RSU President Dr. Larry Rice and OU-Tulsa President Dr. John Schumann with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The agreement marks the first time in history that RSU classes will be available in Tulsa. Learn more at www.rsu.edu/tulsa

5 Academic Administrators from both institutions pause for a photo during the partnership announcement.

RSU President Dr. Larry Rice and OU-Tulsa President Dr. John Schumann

Pryor High School Innovation Center at RSU Slated to Open This Fall

The Pryor High School Innovation Center will be housed at the Pryor Campus of RSU in the MidAmerica Industrial Park. It will be home to the Pryor High School Esports program and Tech Lab. Classes held at the Innovation Center will include manufacturing, engineering and robotics. Beginning their junior year, students at Pryor High School will be able to join an accelerated pathway toward earning a college degree through this new partnership. Students will earn high school and college credit at the same time, potentially earning up to an entire year of college course work before high school graduation.

RSU Announces Five New Options in the MBA Program

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education have approved five new degree options for Rogers State University’s Master of Business Administration. The new options include management, accounting, sport management, data analytics and healthcare management. New class offerings in these options will begin in the upcoming Fall 2021 semester. The MBA@RSU is a fully online degree program recognized for its affordability and curriculum design. Students can complete the degree in as few as 18 months.

Rogers State University is enrolling its first cohort in its second master’s degree for the upcoming fall 2021 semester. The Master of Science in Community Counseling is designed to provide students with the education necessary to become professional counselors.

RSU Adds Three Degree Options in the School of Professional Studies

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education approved three new degree options for Rogers State University in the School of Professional Studies. These degree options join established extracurricular programs and include a bachelor’s degree option in Esports and a bachelor’s and associates degree option in Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

5 RSU ANNOUNCES NEW MASTER'S DEGREE IN COMMUNITY COUNSELING

RSU Welcomes claremont elementary students to new school year

RSU student athletes welcome students of Claremont Elementary to the start of a new school year. RSU has been a Partner in Education with Claremont Elementary since 2010.

5 RSU nursing students pause for a photo during a clinical shift where they administered COVID-19 tests on the Claremore campus.

In partnership with local and state officials, Rogers State University administered a limited supply of the COVID-19 vaccine to students, faculty and staff. Trained nursing students within the Department of Health Sciences and under the supervision of faculty, administered the vaccine to 500 individuals. The vaccine clinic was made possible through partnerships with the State of Oklahoma Health Department, Rogers County Health Department and Utica Park Clinic.

3RSU’S HILLCAT HEROES FUND ASSISTED STUDENTS THROUGH PANDEMIC

The RSU Foundation established the Hillcat Heroes fund in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund provided urgent one-time financial assistance for current students who suffered severe economic, medical or similar hardships. More than $52,000 was raised and 255 students were served through generous donations. Before the CARES grant became available, the Hillcat Heroes fund assisted students with moving and storage costs, online learning materials, proctored exams and technology.

PRODUCTION

Rogers State University partnered with Tri County Tech in the production of personal protective equipment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This partnership increased the supply of masks to Jane Phillip’s Ascension Hospital and HealthCrest Surgical Partners among others in Bartlesville. RSU has also donated its surplus supply of gloves, masks and eye protection to local healthcare providers working on the frontlines.

5 RSU HR Director Jamil Haynes waits for nursing student Micah McCuistion to administer Hayne’s first COVID-19 vaccine. Photo courtesy of Chelsea Weeks / Claremore Daily Progress

RSU PROFESSOR AWARDED $81,000 RESEARCH GRANT

Rogers State University professor Dr. Min Soe, along with colleagues from Massachusetts Institution of Technology and the College of William & Mary, was awarded a three-year research grant for more than $81,000 from the United States Department of Energy. Two RSU students will be selected to assist Dr. Soe. The research, “Unitary Qubit Lattice Algorithms for Plasma Physics,” will make use of quantum information science to develop algorithms which solve Maxwell equations describing the propagation and scattering of electromagnetic waves in plasmas.

RSU COUNSELING CENTER EXPANDS SERVICES

The Rogers State University Counseling Center is expanding services to meet the needs of its student population. These services include the addition of a graduate intern, online scheduling options and ecounseling, as well as partnering with CREOKS Health

CHRISTI MACKEY APPOINTED AS PRESIDENT ELECT OF THE OKLAHOMA SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

Christi Mackey, assistant professor in the department of psychology and sociology, was appointed as president elect of the Oklahoma Sociological Association. The OSA provides a network for exchanging ideas with other researchers, students, teachers, practitioners and public citizens.

Services to provide mental health resources to serve the satellite campuses in Bartlesville and Pryor.

RSU STUDENT SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN UNDERGRAD RESEARCH ON DAUPHIN

Rogers State University student

Shelby Blair is the first Biology and Environmental Conservation major to be accepted to the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program. The Wagoner native will spend 10 weeks this summer in Dauphin Island, Alabama. Blair will conduct research in a sea lab on Brittle Stars, marine invertebrates with five forked and spiny arms that regenerate. Brittle stars occupy many marine habitats, often at great depths. Her main goal on Dauphin Island is to learn how to conduct proper research and receive hands on experience.

RSU ESPORTS NAMED OACE TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS

The Rogers State University Esports team was named tournament champions in the Oklahoma Association of Collegiate Esports’ Battle for Oklahoma tournament. RSU secured the victory with University of Tulsa placing second. Other competitors included Oklahoma State University, Northeastern Oklahoma State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University and Redlands Community College.

RSU’S SMILE PROGRAM RECEIVES CONTINUED GRANT FUNDING

The Single Mothers Inspiring Lifelong Education program at Rogers State University received another year of grant funding from the Women’s Foundation of Oklahoma to provide resources and support for single

mothers furthering their education. The SMILE program began in 2017 and has served more than 300 single mothers. Services provided have included paid internship opportunities, support gatherings, supplying highchairs and booster seats in campus eating areas, finals study sessions with provided childcare, and back-to-school and holiday gift drives. n

WOMEN’S GOLF OPENS UP NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN MICHIGAN

Rogers State women’s golf made history this month. The team made their national debut competing in the opening round of the 2021 NCAA DII Women’s Golf National Championships. The championship took place at the TPC Michigan course. Their season came to a close with two victories, five top three finishes and top five finishes in every event leading up to the national championships. n

RSU COURSES IN BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY RECEIVE QUALITY MATTERS CERTIFICATION

Courses in the department of business and the department of technology at Rogers State University earned the Quality Matters Certification mark following a rigorous review process. Quality Matters is the global organization leading quality assurance in online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments. These courses are now listed in the Quality Matters database of award-winning courses from colleges and universities around the nation.

CADE RUSSELL HONORED AS NEWMAN CIVIC FELLOW

Rogers State University student

Cade Russell is a recipient of the 2021-2022 Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellowship. Campus Compact is a Boston-based non-profit organization working to advance the public purposes of higher education. At RSU, Russell has been actively involved in several campaigns, including the Rock the Vote campaign, which encouraged college-aged students to register to vote prior to the 2020 election. He is also the cofounder for Hillcats Helping Out, a resource drive that collects toiletries and amenities for individuals at Memory Care in Claremore. Russell is a public affairs junior from Pryor. He serves as the class president of the President’s Leadership Class.

POETS & QUANTS RECOGNIZES RSU MBA PROGRAM AS MOST AFFORDABLE

Rogers State University’s accredited online MBA was recently recognized for its low tuition cost compared to 46 other schools, according to Poets & Quants‘ fourth annual Online MBA ranking list. Poets & Quants has established a reputation for wellreported and highly creative stories on the things that matter most to the graduate business education market, from candid critiques of MBA rankings and in-depth coverage of MBA outcomes, to innovative changes in MBA programs and the impact technology is having on higher education.

5RSU student Gracy Head is the inaugural recipient of the First Lady Peggy Rice Award in Business Excellence. Pictured L-R: Peggy Rice, Gracy Head

RSU ESTABLISHES FIRST LADY PEGGY RICE AWARD IN BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

Celebrating her highly successful career in business and her contributions to Rogers State University through her role as First Lady, friends of Peggy Rice honored her in a surprise celebration with the creation of an endowment in her name. The First Lady Peggy Rice Award in Business Excellence is an endowment with the RSU Foundation and will annually recognize a top graduating senior in business administration, with the recipient receiving a scholarship to pursue a Master of Business Administration degree at RSU.

RSU ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES SENIOR IS FIRST TO ACCEPT GRADUATE SCHOOL OFFER

Rogers State University senior Sydney Murray is the first graduate of the Allied Health Sciences program to be accepted into Missouri State University’s Master of Athletic Training. Murray, a member of the RSU Women’s Golf program, is a native of Derby, Kansas in the Wichita area. The Allied Health program has more than 100 students enrolled in its first year. Murray joins more than 150 RSU graduates who have advanced to medically related graduate or professional schools. Her acceptance demonstrates the effectiveness of RSU’s undergraduate science programs.

RSU MEN’S SOCCER CLAIMS GAC REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP

The No. 8 Rogers State men’s soccer team claimed the 2020-21 Great American Conference Regular Season

RSU INSTRUCTOR RECOGNIZED AS THREE TIME WOODY GUTHRIE POET

Adjunct Instructor Bill McCloud was recognized as a Three Time Woody Guthrie Poet. The history and political science instructor and Vietnam Veteran teaches his students not only about history, but also the art of words. McCloud is a natural story-teller, and students really enjoy his avuncular and friendly demeanor. His poetry and writing can be found in the main library at Harvard University as well as on the walls of a Tulsa Transit Metro bus. He has written several books of poetry, which are being taught and discussed at Tulsa University in an Intro to Creative Writing course.

Championship on Saturday at Soldier Field. The Hillcats earned a 1-1 draw after double overtime against Fort Hays State Tigers to secure a point and clinch the first regular season title in school history for the Hillcat men’s soccer program. The win echos excitement from the 2019 GAC Tournament where the Hillcats claimed the championship game over the Tigers.

RSU PROVIDES LIVE BASKETBALL GAME TO CLAREMONT ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

Claremont Elementary School students dressed in navy and red to cheer on the Rogers State University men’s basketball team through a virtual platform last December, bringing the annual event from the basketball court right to their own classrooms.

RSU FLOAT PLACES SECOND IN MLK DAY PARADE

Students from RSU’s Student Government Association and Brothers and Sisters of Excellence Organization participated in the 42nd Annual Tulsa MLK Parade in downtown Tulsa on

January 18. Their efforts, along with Student Affairs staff support, won RSU’s float a second-place award.

RSU FOUNDATION BEGINS EFFORT TO IMPROVE NURSING CLASSROOM FACILITIES

The Rogers State University nursing program has experienced significant growth with the transition to a bachelor’s degree program. Sixty-four seniors will graduate in spring 2021, and 80 juniors were admitted from a pool of more than 180 applicants eager to join the innovative and rigorous RSU nursing program. To meet the demands of the growing program, the RSU Foundation has begun to raise $135,000 to renovate the lecture hall located in the Health Sciences Building. The renovation would include new in-floor electrical wiring, replacement floor coverings, movable classroom tables with electrical and USB data ports, and new chairs. The Cherokee Nation, with the support of tribal Councilor Janees Taylor, has provided an initial gift of $20,000 to support the effort.

RSU ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JIN SEO AWARDED $25,000 BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH GRANT

Rogers State University Associate Professor Dr. Jin Seo was awarded a $25,000 research grant from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. The Oklahoma IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence Collaborate Grant program fosters research interactions between faculty and undergraduate institutions.

RSU PSYCHOLOGY SENIOR EMILY PARKER PARTICIPATES

Rogers State University student

Emily Parker presented her psychology research at the 26th annual Research Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol. The event is designed to raise awareness of the outstanding research taking place at Oklahoma’s colleges and universities and was sponsored by Oklahoma Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the National Science Foundation. Parker’s research is a part of her capstone studies. It explores the impact of religion on the attitudes toward LGBTQ+ issues and individuals.

CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY LOUIS W. BULLOCK RECEIVES RSU CONSTITUTION AWARD

Civil Rights Attorney Louis W. Bullock received the Rogers State University Constitution Award during a December 15 ceremony on the Claremore campus. The Honorable Stephanie K. Seymour introduced Bullock with this high honor. Seymour, Senior Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, was the 2010 recipient of the RSU Constitution Award. OU Regent Phil B. Albert presented the award.

5L to R: Phil B. Albert and Anita Holloway, University of Oklahoma Regents; Louis Bullock; Anne Holloway Oklahoma State Regent for Higher Education; Dr. Larry Rice, RSU President.

RSU Hosts In-Person Commencement Ceremony for 2020 and 2021 Graduates

Bringing the academic year to a close, Rogers State University hosted two limited in-person ceremonies for its 109th commencement. The ceremony was the first large-scale event hosted by RSU since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Graduates from the 2020 and 2021 graduating classes were honored.